February 13, 2009

Senator Begich To Hold Veterans Listening Sessions in Alaska

President's Day recess includes stops in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Bethel

As part of his ongoing effort to stay in touch with the needs and concerns of Alaska's military veterans, Sen. Mark Begich will hold veterans listening sessions in Anchorage and Fairbanks when he returns to Alaska next week for the President's Day recess.

"One of my priorities is to serve the needs of the men and women who have defended our country," said Sen. Begich, who serves on both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Veterans Affairs. "I'm looking forward to returning to Alaska and talking to our veterans about health care, retirement issues, pay and allowances, and the many other issues that affect their well being."

· The veterans listening session in Anchorage will be held Monday, Feb. 16, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Carpenter's Hall, 410 Denali Street.

On Tuesday, Sen. Begich travels to Fairbanks where he'll hold another veterans listening session and also speak to the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.

· The Fairbanks veterans listening session is scheduled Feb. 17, from 10 to 11:00 a.m. at the Moose Lodge, 98 10th Avenue.

Sen. Begich said he is eager to get back to Alaska to also talk about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which is expected to pass the Senate tonight. The $789 billion economic recovery package is expected to bring about $1 billion in federal spending and tax breaks to Alaskans.

"While the economic recovery package is not a perfect bill, I believe it is necessary to keep our economy from further deterioration," Sen. Begich said. "It's expected to save or create nearly 8,000 jobs for Alaskans over the next two years, support much-needed infrastructure projects, and provide tax cuts helping thousands of Alaska workers and families," Sen. Begich said.

Sen. Begich will discuss the economic recovery package in Bethel on Thursday when he travels to the village for a series of meetings. Traveling with the Director of Congressional Affairs for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Darren Pete, Sen. Begich will tour the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation and meet with a number of community leaders from the region to talk about the recovery package and how it can help rural Alaska.

Froma Senator Mark Begich press release